Trolley-actuated switch.



E. H. OWSLEY.

TIROLLEY ACTUATED SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED not. :9. X914.

1 9 1 53,5 1 5 Patented Sept. 14, 1915.

WITNESSES:

.TROLLEY-ACTUATED swrron.

v Specification of Letters Patent. Sept. 14:, 1915.

Application filed October 19, 1914. Serial No. 867,369.

To all whom-it may concern Be it known that I, EDGAR H. OwsnsY, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Jose, in the countyi-of Santa Clara and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in V Trolley-Actuated Switches,- of whichthe following is a specification.

' Thisinvention relates to trolley actuated switches and the object thereof is to provide an improved form of switch which is of simple construction and which is capable of easy and quick operation by the'trolley.

The invention consists of the parts and the constructionand combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a modified form of switch operating mechanism. Fig.- 2 isa side elevation of the preferred form of switch operating mechanism. Fig. 3 is a cross section through the separated chambers of the four-point double switch. Fig. & is a perspective view of the switchand connected operating mechanism. Fig. 5 is a slight modification of the structure shown in Fig.2.

The switches are double in arrangement, a". e.,two knife'blades 9 and 10 are secured on. shaft 8 and a double 7 set of contacts l112 and 1112 are provided for purposes hereinafter to be described. Ea-ch double switch is suitably supported, with relation to the trolley wire hanger,;as in dicatedat 5, Fig. 4, and consists'of a casing which is divided into two separated compartments 6 and 7'through which extends the shaft 8. The knife'switch blades9 and 10 are secured on the outer ends ofthe shaft, as indicated in Fig. 3, one in each chamber 6 and 7, and are adapted to bethrown into engagement with their respective contacts "1112 and 1l 12 by means of a; centrally vided with a pawl 14 on its inner end which is adapted to engage with a ratchet wheel 15 secured upon the shaft.

Pivotally mounted in a bracket bearing 16, secured on the outside of the switch caslng, is a lever arm 17, the lower end of which is connected with an arm-13 by means of a link 18. Pivotally mounted, as at 19, on a bearing member 20 carried by the trolley wire 21 is a block 22. Extending upwardly from said block is an arm 23 which is connected with the arm 17 by means of a link 24. a 2 I Pivotally secured, as at 25, to the lower end of a block 22, one one side, is a horizontally disposed link or block 26, the other end of'which is slidably mounted, as at 27, in a standard 28 carried by the trolley wire. Block 22, together with the link 26, is adapted to be raised into the vertical position indicated in Fig. 4 by engagement with thetrolley wheel 29 of a passing car for the purpose of rocking the connected levers '23, 17 and 13, which movement is transmitted through the pawl and ratchet 14 and 15 to turn the shaft 8 and swing the knife blades 9 and 10 out of engagement with one contact and into engagement with another contact. The connected levers 13, 17 and 23 and blocks 22 and 26 will return to the normal tilted position indicated in Fig. 2 the moment the trolley wheel passes by, as the weight of block 22, together with that of the connected link or block 26, is

suflicient to swing the levers back. Pawl 14: will be inoperative at this time as it simply slips over the teeth of the ratchet Wheel. The shaft 8 will thus remain stationary on the return movement of thelevers and will not turn until theconnected blocks 22 and 26 are raised byengagement' with the trolley wheel. The block 22, with connected block or link 26, is alittlewider than the face of the trolley wheel and will thus become positively raised by same when the trolley wheel passes thereunder.

-oil contained in the chambers may also be used for lubrication.

As shown in Fig. 3, a valve control drip pipe 30 is provided, bymeans of which lever '13 may be automatically lubricated.

Levers 17 and '26 are similarly provided with oil ducts, such as indicated by dotted lines at 31, through which the several pivot bearings and link connections may be lubritransmitted through levers 23, 17 and 13,

when rocked by blocks 22 and 26, swings the arm of lever 13 a quarter of a revolution and consequently moves the shaft 8 sufficiently far to turn the knife blades from one contact into another. 7

The shafts 8, upon which the kni-feblades are mounted, will always turn in the direction of arrows a whether the car be traveling along the track in one direction or the other, as lever 13 and pawl 14 will only turn the shaft when the levers are moved into the vertical position shown in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 1 a slight modification of the switch operating mechanism is shown. The block .here indicated isprovided with one or more downwardly extending arms 40 which are adapted to be engaged by a pin 41 on the trolley pole fork. The passing of the trolley in one direction will swing the block, with connected arms 40, to one side and throw the switch, while the reverse movement-ofthe car will rock it in the opposite direction. I The materials and finish of the several parts of the signal system are such as the experience and judgment of the manufacturer may dictate.

I wish it understood that various changes in form,'proportionsand minor detailsof construction may be resorted to withinthe scope of the appended claims and that I do not wish. to limit myself to. the specific design and construction here shown.

In Fig. 5block 22 is shown as provided with an extension 22 with which link 26 is connected. This structure is used in connection with flat trolley wheels such as are used on trolley harps and the like, it being necessary in suchcases to bring the point ,of contact below the trolley wire, as indicated 'of a passing car, means connecting the block with the switch shaft whereby the rocking movement of the block and link will be transmitted to'turn the shaft with connected knife blade a quarter of a revolution 'from one contaetin the switch to the other, a casing inclosing each switch and in which each shaft is journaled, means for introducing oil nto sai a ng, ar mea s f r c n ying a portion of said oil to lubricate the shaft with connected operating levers.

- 2- n; comb nat n with. th bl de a i switch, apivoted block, a link pivoted at its nn nd to. 'b k adjacent e has v of the latter whereby the under faces of the block and link conjointly have a V-shape form, means to pivotally support the outer end-of the link, an arm extending upwardly from the block, an arm having connection with thesw-itchb'lade to actuate the latter, a lever arm pivoted intermediate its ends,

and -links connecting the ends ofthe lever arm with the arm of theblock and the arm of the switch blade a I V 3. In combination with the blade of a switch, an arm'having connection with the blade to actuate the latter, a verticalllever arm pivoted intermediate its ends, a link between the lower ends of the first named arm and the lever arm, a vertical pivoted member for actuation by a. trolley wheel or the like,.and a link between the upper-end of said, member and the upper end of the le e rm- V 4. In combination with a switch actuator, a vertical pivoted weighted substantially L- shaped member having the free end ofits base disposed below its pivotso 'a's to be engageable with a trolley wheel or the like whereby to. rockthe member-,- and means connecting the memberand actuator whereby themember will operate the actuator.

'5. In combination with a? switch actuator, a vertically. rocking substantially L-shaped member having the free end of its base dis posed so as to beengageable with a trolley wheel whereby torock the member, said member being pivoted atits corner so as to be automatically returned to normal upon the trolley wheel-passing out of contact with same, and means tooperate the actuator from: said member.

6. In combination with a switch actuator,

a vertically rocking substantially L-shaped member having the free end of its base disposed so as tobeengageable with a trolley wheel whereby torock the member, said =-member being pivoted at, its corner was to be automatically returned to normal upon the trolley wheel passing out of contact withv from the compartment and communicating with the oil therein for lubricating the blade operating means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing 15 witnesses.

r EDGAR H. OWSLEY. Witnesses:

IRVINE SINNETT,

W. W. HEALEY.

Copies of this patentmay be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner or Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

